Natural disasters happen. Even if we "prepare" for them - that is to say get a few moments' head start thanks to our high tech gadgets and engineering feats - there is very little that we can do.
The tough part is they affect us in every possible way - economically, physically, emotionally, psychologically. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) says that the "psychological devastation will affect more lives than the physical or economic toll."
According to professor Bob Montgomery, president of the APS, during and right after a disaster, people naturally (and understandably) focus on survival and rescue.But afterwards, people...
Flood warnings work best if they remain simple. Placing too complicated definitions behind warning signals only causes confusion among the public. This is why some governments failed in their flood warning systems. Also a factor is the process on how they arrive with specific warning signals. Agencies and other organizations involve in the overall government flood control and warning network might not have understood the full concept of their own warning system causing inadequate or wrong warning information.
Despite the arid and desert-like perception of Australia, its river system can cause major flooding. That's why the government has...
Massive explosions. Lava fountains. Mushroom clouds. Pyroclastic flows. Lahar. We're familiar with these natural occurrences that result from volcanic eruptions.
But not many of us know about a different, much weirder type of eruption. It's called limnic eruption. It's so rare and bizarre that there are only two recorded eruptions of this kind in history: at Lake Monoun in 1884 and Lake Nyos in 1986.
What is a limnic eruption?
A limnic eruption, also known as lake overturn, is a type of natural disaster that occurs when a large amount of carbon dioxide erupts from the...
If we will not make great efforts to try to stop the green house gases to lump over the atmosphere, chances are, we also cannot stop global warming.
The talk about global warming has somewhat hushed down, but this doesn't mean that this phenomenon is no longer a distinct possibility for us. The threat of global warming will live on. And with it lies the 5 deadliest effects that it will carry, such as:
The spread of diseases
As northern countries warm, disease carrying insects migrate north, bringing plague and disease with them. This occurrences accounts for the spread of malaria in...
We are often apprehensive about hurricanes because of the destruction that its heavy rains, strong winds, and large waves can bring to our neighborhood and community. But what, exactly, is a hurricane?
A hurricane is a huge storm which is commonly characterized by strong gusts of winds spiraling in an inward-upward direction. Its speed ranges from 75 to 200 mph. It typically moves over the open ocean for over a week. It targets the warm ocean waters because this is where it usually gathers heat and energy, while evaporation from seawater causes it to increase its power.
Mudslide is one of the most widespread geological events. It can engulf an entire village in an instant and can kill thousands of people and paralyze economy.
What are mudslides?
Mudslides are the most rapid fluid types of down slope mass wasting. They are the rapid movements of a huge mass of mud as a result of the combination of loose earth and water. Mudslides are also known as mudflows (not very liquid), debris flows (in high mountains), and mud stream or lahars (from volcanoes).
Mudslides have broad variety in terms of water content (from loamy mud to almost...
Flood Guard Systems Ltd. (Floodguards) has created a number of product that are fairly helpful come rainy season. Floodguards' products are practical yet effective.
Airbrick Covers
Airbricks and wall vents are integral in modern building construction. Without them, air would not be able to circulate inside infrastructures and would build up condensation.
However, though airbricks and vents allow air to circulate, they also allow water to get in quickly during a flood. Airbricks and vents need water tight covering the way doors and French windows need floodguards.
Floodguards has manufactured airbrick and vent covers in to protect your homes from floods...
Yanko Design, the web magazine that features the best international modern designs in the fields of industrial design, concepts, technology, interior design, architecture, exhibition and fashion, presents The Wall for Flood Control, a concept by designer Ho-Hyeok Lee.
This unique concept may be the perfect solution for living areas that are naturally prone to flooding.
Features and function
The device is made up of partitions that are locked together to form a platform/wall. These panels are safe-locked together to prevent each partition from moving. It can be unlocked if only certain partitions are needed to be used. When unlocked, the green...
Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms. They are created by powerful thunderstorms.
Tornadoes are characterized by their funnel shape, extending to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. The tornadoes path of damage can go for over a mile wide and 50 miles long.
Tornadoes sometimes develop so fast that there's usually very little time for advance warning.
Here are some markers. Before a tornado strikes, the wind may decrease or even die down. The air may become very still. Before the funnel shape of the tornado can be seen, a cloud of debris can...
Climate Change May Not Boost Middle East Rainfall
Posted in Category: Global WarmingThe original idea that global warming will cause flood and water shortages in the Middle East is being refuted by an Australian climate scientist. The scientist's findings suggest that rainfall might actually even increase in key parts of the area.
According to the most recent projections from the IPCC or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, storm activity in the Eastern Mediterranean will decline within this century if global warming continues on its current path. Because of this, it is predicted that there would be reduced rainfall by 15 to 25 percent over a big part of...